I know, i cant stand those rc boat races. I never catch anything i waghop, i have terrible luck there.

It's a matter of safety and insurance. The RC boats are heavy enough and fast enough to really cause damage to people or people-carrying boats. Sometimes they go out of control...
The groups that sanction the RC boaters also insure them in the event that an accident occurs and causes damage to people or property. The conditions of the insurance require no boaters be in the water while the RC torpedos are racing.
The best way to avoid conflicts with the RC guys is to ask them how you can find out their schedule for the lake you wish to fish.

Is this a small lake or big rc boats? How the hell do you rent the entire lake?

How do I find out their schedule???? I was pretty upset when I drove out to Lakewood all the way from Rochester.

rjn cajun: small lake, and boats doing 50+.

skimpy: Go to www.namba8.com and click on the "schedule" button. I'd link it, but no html here.

These are primarily gas boats, I race electric boats (with a different group) as well as fish. I support the interests of both. It's really hard for the Gas/Nitro racers to find a place they can run races. I don't know about "rent", but they may pay the parks dept. a fee or something.

rjn cajun: small lake, and boats doing 50+.

skimpy: Go to www.namba8.com and click on the "schedule" button. I'd link it, but no html here.

These are primarily gas boats, I race electric boats (with a different group) as well as fish. I support the interests of both. It's really hard for the Gas/Nitro racers to find a place they can run races. I don't know about "rent", but they may pay the parks dept. a fee or something.

@ coretron22... Thanks for the info !!! as far as "renting" the lake, thats what i was told. They said their club paid to use the lake for themselves. I understand why the lake was closed I was just really upset I drove all the way there, carried my boat down and then was told I couldnt use the lake. I wish I would have known. I'm glad I have their schedule now, cuz I dont want that to happen again...Thanks again.

Yeah, sorry you made the trip only to get turned away. That sucks, and I'm sure the RC guys understood your displeasure. I've heard there are decent bass in there (Waughop) and seen a few reports on here that seem positive.
Good luck!

Other lakes I know of that are used by RC boat clubs are Frank Mason (Granite Falls), but no more scheduled races there this year...Tye (Monroe) gets regular use, Washington (Coulon Park has a race or 2 per year), Mirror (Fed. Way). There are others that other clubs use, I can point y'all to the schedules if you are encountering any conflicts.

Hey All, this may take a call to the City of Lakewood in confirming but if I do remember the lake is open only to shore fishing and not boats. Also they do have signs there outlining the RC boat clubs there. Personally I would rather head over to Lake Steilacoom, American or attempt to get into Gravely Lake. They maybe more worth the time and effort.

@ Runaway12. From what I have always heard is that you can only use "hand launched" boats and i believe there is a sign posted there that says so. Where did you see that is was only open to shore fishing? What happens if a rc boat crashes? Don't they have to go out in a little jon boat to retrieve it. So would they breaking breaking rules then??? I would like to hear what City of Lakewood says.

From talking with city this morning it is very strongly discouraged in launching boats and float tubes. This is not because of the RC boats but because the lake is consistently (including currently as of the date of this post) flagged for toxic algae and e.coli. As for the RC boat clubs, they can rent the whole lake ( like a baseball team or soccer team can rent out a field) and have priority during their rental times. I know the rules have always been hazy in regards to boats on the lakes but at least this may help some. Personally I only fish this lake in late fall or early spring when the chances of a health warning are low.

So your allowed they just discourage it? I have fished it many times in a little jon boat and no one has ever said not too. I know a bunch of people who have too and they also said no one has ever said anything to them. As far as being flagged for toxic algae. Im not swimming in it or eating the fish. I fish for bass, and like any other respectable bass fisherman, I catch and release.

@ runaway12. I don't get your point of view on this lake. Your tryin to tell someone to go somewhere else because of harmful toxins but you said yourself that you would still go there in the appropiate times of the year. Your angle is a little fishy and discouraging people from fishing somewhere isn't very positive or truefully none of your business where someone wants to go. I'd understand if this was a swimming forum and it was in the safety of someone swallowing some water but its not. This is game fishing for pleasure kinda the same as racing a boat for excitement.

Why would they make their group name so close to NAMBLA? lol

@ runaway12. I don't get your point of view on this lake. Your tryin to tell someone to go somewhere else because of harmful toxins but you said yourself that you would still go there in the appropiate times of the year. Your angle is a little fishy and discouraging people from fishing somewhere isn't very positive or truefully none of your business where someone wants to go. I'd understand if this was a swimming forum and it was in the safety of someone swallowing some water but its not. This is game fishing for pleasure kinda the same as racing a boat for excitement.

Kidinc, thank you for questioning any information regarding what I was told this morning from the City of Lakewood (who manages Fort Steilacoom Park and Lake Waughop) and of personal experience fishing this lake. You can fish this lake to your content if need be, but in sharing my experiences regarding to this lake I fish it only certain times of the year in knowing these risks. I think you are reading too deeply into the response. And I will quote the following form the Leave a Comment Section:

“We appreciate it when fellow anglers share their opinions, techniques, fishing holes and all around fishing knowledge."

This was knowledge I received this morning and I myself was curious regarding the final answer on boats. If you still have any doubts regarding my response you can contact the City of Lakewood yourself (253-589-2489) to verify. I am also sure if you scan the Washington lakes database a number of reports or comments on of the various lakes could be subject to scrutiny or of personal opinion. That is what makes this site unique and not driven by sponsors or any one media group.

I hate to keep going on about this, but I read this on WDFW website:

Waughop Lake (22 acres): In Fort Steilacoom County Park, about a mile east of Steilacoom. Open season is year-round. Rainbow trout are planted annually. A warm water fishery for largemouth bass, crappie, perch and brown bullhead catfish adds to angling opportunity. Adult Coho salmon may be added in October – November if excess hatchery returns are available. Landlocked salmon rules apply: a catch record card is not required and all salmon count as part of the trout daily limit. No developed boat launch, but small craft can be hand-carried a ways to the lake.


As far as what runway12 found out from Lakewood that they very strongly discouraged in launching boats and float tubes at Waughop, maybe it's just when the "toxic algae" is present. Which I guess they would post at the lake if there was a problem at that time??? Either way Happy Fishing to all !!!!!!!!!

Thank you Skimpy, my original goal was to pass on info I was told about the lake. And to offer other suggestions in the event of lake is un-fishable. I had no other motive here. The lake does hold some decent size bass and in the spring hooking a holdover trout is also rewarding Throwing a simple silver Rapala or still fishing with green glider Powerbait seems to do the trick.